Part II

I

(One day little Florence Dombey and her young maid Susan Nip­per were walking along a street in London far from home. When they were crossing the street, they found themselves in a large crowd of people. Suddenly something frightened Florence. She screamed and ran. She was running rather long and when she stopped, she found that she was alone in ah empty street. An old woman took her by the hand and told her that she would find her maid for her. Instead, she took Florence to an old house. There she told the girl to take off her dress and shoes. Then she gave her some old clothes and shoes to put on and took her to the City where she left her, telling her that she could ask the people the way to the firm of Dombey and Son.)

Florence walked from street to street, until at last she looked into a wharf on the river-side, where she saw a big man. He had his hands in his pockets and a pen behind his ear. He looked round and saw Florence.

" Now then, ” said this man. " We have nothing for you, little girl. Go away”

" If you please, is this the City? " asked the trembling daughter of the Dombeys.

" Yes, it's the City. You know that well enough, I think. Go away! We have nothing for you."

" I don't want anything, thank you, " was the answer. " I only want to know the way to Dombey and Son's."

The man was surprised.

" Why, what can you want with Dombey and Son's? "

" To know the way there if you please." The man looked at her some time.

" Joe! " he cried to another man. " Where is that boy of Dombey's? Call him here! "

Joe ran out and soon returned with a merry-looking boy. It was Walter Gay, nephew of Solomon Gills.

" You are from Dombey's, aren't you? " said the man with the pen behind his ear.

" Yes, I'm in Dombey's House, Mr. Clark, " said the boy.

" Look at her, then, " said Mr. Clark.

Walter made a step towards Florence, not knowing what to do with her. But Florence, who had heard the conversation, ran up to him so quickly, that she lost one of her shoes. She took Walter's hand in both of hers.

" I am lost, if you please! " said Florence.

" Lost! " cried the boy.

" Yes, I was lost this morning, a long way from; here – and my clothes were taken away from me – and my name is Florence Dombey – and oh – take care of me, if you please! " and she burst into tears.

Walter picked up the shoe and put it on the little foot as the Prince in the story put Cinderella's shoe on.

" Don't cry, Miss Dombey, " said Walter, giving her his right hand. " How good it is that I am here. You are quite safe now. Come along, Miss Dombey! "

And they went hand-in-hand along the streets. It was getting dark and beginning to rain, but they did not notice it. Florence was telling Walter about her adventure, and they were both happy.

" Have we far to go? " asked Florence at last, lifting up her eyes to Walter's face.

" Let me see, " said Walter, stopping: " where are we? Oh! I know. But the offices are shut up now. Miss Dombey. There's nobody there. Mr. Dombey has gone home. I'll take you home, too, shall I? Or no. Suppose I take you to my uncle's, where I live – it's very near here. Then I'll go to your house in a coach. I'll tell them you are safe and bring you some clothes. That will be best, won't it? "

" I think so, " answered Florence. " What do you think? "

" Come, Miss Dombey, " said Walter, " we'll go to my uncle's as quickly as we can."

They went on talking merrily and soon came to the door of Solomon Gills' shop.

II

" Hallo, Uncle Sol! " cried Walter opening the door. " Here's a won­derful adventure! Here's Miss Dombey, Mr. Dombey's daughter! She was lost in the streets and robbed of her clothes.' and shewasfound by me. I have brought her home to rest look! "

" Good Heavens! " said Uncle Sol. " It can't be! "

" What a surprise, isn't it, " said Walter. " Help me to put the little sofa near the fire, will you. Uncle Sol – take care of the plates – make some dinner for her, will you, Uncle. Miss Florence, put your feet near the fire – how wet they are – here's an adventure. Uncle, eh? Uncle, I'll run upstairs to put on another jacket and then I'll be off. I say, Uncle, isn't this an adventure? "

" My dear boy, " said Solomon, " it's the most wonderful adven­ture."

" Please, Uncle – Miss Florence – dinner, you know, Uncle."

" Yes, yes, yes, " cried Solomon. " I'll take care of her, Walter! I understand. Pretty child! Hungry, of course. You go and get ready. Sir Richard Wittington, Lord Mayor of London! "

Walter went upstairs. He was not very long, but before he came, Florence had fallen asleep before the fire, so tired she was. Solomon Gills put a cushion under her head and darkened the room. So, when Walter returned, she was sleeping.

" That's fine! " whispered Walter. " Now I'm off. I'll just take a piece of bread with me, because I'm very hungry – and – don't wake her. Uncle Sol! "

" No, no, " said Solomon. " Pretty child."

" Pretty indeed! " cried Walter. " I've never seen such a face. Uncle Sol. Now I'm off."

" That's right, " said Solomon.

" I say, Uncle Sol, " cried Walter, putting his face in at the door.

" Here he is again, " said Solomon.

" How does she look now? "

" Quite happy, " said Solomon.

" That's wonderful; Now I'm off."

And this time he really was off.

III

Walter hurried to Mr. Dombey's house. When he came there, he was taken by the servant to the library where Mr. Dombey, his sister Mrs. Chick, his sister's friend Miss Tox, Paul's nurse Richards and Florence's young maid Susan Nipper were all gathered together.

" Oh! I beg your pardon sir, " said Walter to Mr. Dombey, " but I'm happy to say that it's all right, sir. Miss Dombey is found! "

" I told you, Louisa, " that she would certainly be found, " said Mr. Dombey to Mrs. Chick who wept in company with Miss Tox. " This boy who has brought this information, is young Gay, from the of­fice. How was my daughter found, sir? I know how she was lost. But how was she found? Who found her? "

" Why, I think I found Miss Dombey, sir, " said Walter. And he told Mr. Dombey what had taken place.He also explained why he had come alone.

" You hear this, girl? " said Mr. Dombey to Susan Nipper. " Take what is necessary and go immediately with this young man to bring Miss Florence home. Gay, you will be rewarded tomorrow."

" Oh! thank you, sir, " said Walter. " You are very kind. I'm sure I was not thinking of any reward, sir."

" You are a boy, " said Mr. Dombey, suddenly and almost fiercely; " and what you think is not important. Louisa, please, show the boy the way."

Mr. Dombey looked at Walter with displeasure, as he left the room.

When Walter and Susan Nipper reached Uncle Sol's shop, they found that Florence had rested and dined. She was talking in a friendly way with Solomon Gills. Susan Nipper took her in her arms and kissed her. Then she dressed her in the clothes which she had brought.

" Good night! " said Florence, running up to Solomon. " You have been very good to me."

Old Sol was very pleased and kissed her as if he was her grandfa­ther.

" Good night, Walter! Good-bye! " said Florence.

" Good-bye! " said Walter, giving both his hands.

" I'll never forget you, " said Florence. " No! indeed, I never will. Good-bye, Walter."

The child lifted up her face to Walter. He bent down his own face, then raised it again, all red and burning.

" Where's Walter? " " Good night, Walter! " " Good-bye, Walter! " " Shake hands again, Walter! " Tilts was still Rorence's cry, after she was put into the coach with her little maid. And when the coach at last started, she waved her handkerchief to him out of the window. He stood on the door-step and waved gaily back to her.

Part III

I

(Paul Dombey's mother died soon after he was born. Paul was brought up by nurses and his sister Florence whom he loved very much. He was a very weak child. He very often fell ill, and when he was not ill, he got tired very soon and could not play like other chil­dren.)

Thus Paul grew to be nearly five years old. He was a pretty little fellow, but not healthy. He was childish and sportive enough at times.' But, at other times, he often sat and thought in his little armchair, and then he looked and talked like a very-very old man. It mostly happenedwhen his tittle arm-chair was carried into his father's room after, and he sat there with him by the fire.

One day. When they were sitting like this, little Paul said:

" Papa! what's money? "

Mr. Dombey was surprised.

" What is money, Paul? " he answered. " Money? "

" Yes, " said the child, looking up at Mr. Dombey: " what is money? "

Mr. Dombey was in a difficulty.

" Gold, and silver, and copper, " he answered. " Guineas, shillings, halfpence. You know what they are? "

" Oh, yes, I know what they are, " said Paul. " I don't mean that, Papa. I mean, what's money after all? "

Heaven and Earth, how old his face was when he looked at his father again!

" What is money after all, " said Mr. Dombey, looking at his son in great surprise.

" I mean, Papa, what can it do? " said Paul, looking at the fire and up at him, and at the fire and up at him again.

Mr. Dombey patted him on the head. " You'll know better by and by, my man, " he said. " Money, Paul, can do anything."

" Anything, Papa? "

" Yes. Anything – almost, " said Mr. Dombey.

" Anything means everything, doesn't it, Papa? " asked his son.

" Well, yes, " said Mr. Dombey.

" Why didn't money save me my mummy? " asked the child. " It isn't cruel, is it? "

" Cruel! " said Mr. Dombey. " No. A good thing can't be cruel."

" If it is a good thing, and can do anything, " said the little boy thoughtfully, as he looked back at the fire, " I wonder why it didn't save me my mummy."

II

(The meeting with Florence produced a great impression on Walter Gay. He thought about the girl all the time. His uncle and Captain Cuttle often joked about him and Florence and remembered Dick Wittington. Walter often went to the part of London where Mr. Dombey's house was and walked there, hoping to meet Florence. Sometimes he met her in company with Susan Nipper, and they stopped for a talk.He felt very happy on these days. Sometimes he dreamed that he would be a sailor and go on a long voyage and return an admiral, very rich and famous, and marry Florence. But he understood that those were only dreams.

Solomon Gills had an old debt that had remained after the death of Walter's father, about which Walter did not know. The day came when that debt was to be paid. Solomon Gills was in despair because he had no money to pay it. Walter learned about the debt and appealed for aid to Captain Cuttle, Uncle Sol's only friend. But Captain Cuttle was also poor and he advised Walter to go to Mr. Dombey at once and ask him for help. It so happened that Mr. Dombey was not in the office on that day. There was no time to wait, and Captain Cuttle told Walter to go to Mr. Dombey's house.)

When Mr. Dombey, Mrs. Chick and Miss Tox were sitting at breakfast, Florence came running into the room, looking very excited.

" Papa! Papa! " she cried. " Here's Walter! And he doesn’t want to come in! "

" Who? " cried Mr. Dombey. " What does she mean? What is this? "

" Walter, Papa, " said Florence timidly. " Who found me when I was lost."

" Does she mean young Gay, Louisa? " asked Mr. Dombey. " Re­ally, this child has no manners. She cannot mean young Gay, I think. Find out what it is, please.”

Mrs. Chick went out. When she came back, she said that it was young Gay; and that he did not want to disturb Mr. Dombey during breakfast and said that he would wait.

" Tell the boy to come in now, " said Mr. Dombey. When Walter entered the room, Mr. Dombey said, " Now, Gay, what is the mat­ter?

Who sent you here? Could they send nobody else? "

" I beg your pardon, sir, " answered Walter. " Nobody sent me. I have come myself, which I hope you will pardon when you know the reason."

" What do you want to say to me? " said Mr. Dombey.

" I am afraid, sir, " began Walter, trembling and looking down at the ground, " that I take a very great liberty in coming. When I saw Miss Dombey and –"

" Well, " said Mr. Dombey, frowning when he noticed that, Flo­rence smiled at Walter. " Go on, please."

" It is entirely a private matter, sir, " continued Walter. " I have come to say, sir, that my poor old uncle is in great trouble. He must make a payment on an old debt and he cannot do it. If he does not pay the money, he will lose all he has, and that will break his heart. You know him as a respectable man. And if you did something to help him out of his difficulty, sir, we never could thank you enough for it.”

Walter's eyes filled with tears as he spoke. Florence was nearly crying too.

" It is a very large sum, sir, " said Walter. " More than three hun­dred pounds. My uncle is very upset, Sir. He doesn't even know yet that I have come to speak to you. I think you want me to say exactly what I want. I really don't know, sir. There's my uncle's shop. Then I – of course, I earn very little; but if you allow sir, – this money –payment – uncle – respectable old man –"

After these broken sentences Walter stood silent, looking down. Florence was crying. Little Paul, who had come into the room after Florence, tried to comfort her. Mr. Dombey noticed that Paul looked at him and then at Walter as if he wanted to say something.

" Paul, come here, " he said.

The child obeyed, and Mr. Dombey took him on his knee.

" If you had money now –" said Mr. Dombey. " Look at me! "

Paul looked his father in the face.

" If you had money now, " said Mr. Dombey, " as much money as young Gay has talked about; what would you do? "

" Give it to his old uncle, " answered Paul.

" Lend it to his old uncle, eh, " said Mr. Dombey. " Well! When you are old enough, you know, you will share my money, and we shall spend it together and –"

" Dombey and Son, " interrupted Paul.

" Dombey and Son, " repeated his father. " Would you like to be­gin to be Dombey and Son now and lend this money to young Gay's uncle? "

" Oh yes, Papa, I would, " said Paul, " and Florence too."

" Girls, " said Mr. Dombey, " have nothing to do with Dombey and Son. Would you like it? "

" Yes, Papa, yes! "

" Then you will do it, " said his father. " And you see, Paul, " he added, " how powerful money is, and how people want to get it. Young Gay comes to ask for money, and you, who are so great, because you have it, give it to him as a great favour."

Paul jumped off his father's knee and ran to tell Florence not to cry any more because he would give young Gay the money.

Mr. Dombey turned to the table and wrote a note. While he was writing, Paul and Florence talked to Walter in a whisper. When Mr. Dombey finished writing, he gave the note to Walter.

" Take it to the office tomorrow morning, " he said, " and the money will be paid. You will consider that this is done for you by Master Paul."

Walter wanted to say how glad he was, but Mr. Dombey stopped him.

" You will consider that this is done, " he repeated, " by Master Paul. I have explained that to him, and he understands it."

As he pointed to the door, Walter could only bow his head and go out. Florence wanted to run out after him, but Mr. Dombey called her back and told her to stay where she was.

Part IV

I

(Some years later Paul Dombey died. His death was a great blow to Mr. Dombey. Again the Firm had no heir. Why wasn't Florence dead instead of Paul, thought Mr. Dombey. Now that his son was dead and she was alive, he hated her still more. Florence loved her father, but she felt his hatred and suffered greatly.

Mr. Dombey noticed that Florence and Walter Gay liked each other and was angry. Though he hated his daughter, he could not think of a member of his family to be in love with a poor man, or to marry him. So he sent Walter to Barbados, where the Dombey and Son Firm had an agency, to work as a clerk. Walter could not refuse, because if he did, he would_have no work at all, and besides, his uncle owed Mr. Dombey a large sum of money now, which he could not pay. So, with a heavy heart, Walter agreed. It was a blow to his uncle, but they could do nothing about it. Walter tried to be cheer­ful, especially on his last day in London.)

" Uncle, " said Walter, putting his hand on the old man's shoulder, " what shall I send you home from Barbados? "

" Hope, my dear Walter. Hope that we shall meet again."

" So I will, Uncle. And you will not forget what you must send me? "

" No, Walter, no, " replied the old man: " everything I hear about Miss Dombey, I'll write."

" I must tell you, Uncle, " said Walter, " that I have just been there"

" Oh, " said his uncle.

" Not to see her, " said Walter, " but to say good-bye to Susan."

" Yes, my boy, yes, " replied his uncle.

" So I saw her, " went on Walter. " Susan Nipper, Florence's maid, I mean: and I told her I was going away tomorrow. And I said, Uncle, that you had always had an interest in Miss Dombey since that night when she was here, and you always wanted her to be well and happy and always would be proud and glad to serve her. I thought I was right to say that. Don't you think so? "

" Yes, my boy, yes, " replied his uncle.

" So, if you ever see her, Uncle, " said Walter, " I mean Miss Dombey now, tell her how much I thought of her when I was here; how I spoke of her, with the tears in my eyes, Uncle, on the last night be­fore I went away. Tell her that I can never forget her gentle manner or her beautiful face. And tell her that I kept those old shoes – she'll remember how often they fell off that night – and took them away with me as a remembrance! "